We seem to be hearing more and more about natural disasters. Fires, floods and warnings about earthquakes. Are you ready? This is the one time, in particular, we need to be organized and prepared for an emergency situation. I urge everyone to have a prepacked Emergency Kit with an Emergency Plan. The good news is- it isn’t hard!

Here are some guidelines for an Emergency Kit:

• Pick a container that is easy to move and carry, like a backpack
• Store it in an accessible spot, but tucked out of the way so you don’t “borrow from it”
• Ensure sure everyone knows where it is (including kids). Make sure it’s well-stocked for 72 hours and covers everyone in your household (as well as pets). Items to include are small water bottles, dried and canned foods, flashlight, portable radio, batteries, first aid kit, cash, copies of important documents, a can opener etc.  For a full list, visit here. If you don’t want to build one yourself, you can purchase one through organizations like the Canadian Red Cross.
• Also include your Emergency Plan. This plan includes safe exits from your home, important contacts, locations of your gas valve, water valve, electrical panel and more. For this document, it’s important to talk to household members so they know what to do in case of an emergency. For more details on how to make this plan, visit here.

An Emergency Kit is nothing anyone wants to talk about- but it’s important. Once a year, simply review your Emergency Plan within your Kit to make sure all the details are accurate and exchange the food and water with fresh items. It’s that simple.

No matter our situation, we all need to be prepared!

If you need any help organizing your home life or learning new habits to stay organized, be sure to contact Out of Chaos Professional Organizing Solutions at info@outofchaos.ca or 604-813-8189.